Application

CentralTrak accepts applications from all national and international artists: visual, literary, performing and curatorial. Artists or writers working in painting, new media, sculpture, architecture, creative writing, sound art, theory and criticism, dance, music, photography, urbanism, social practices and curatorial enterprises are invited to apply. Residents receive a live/work loft studio with all utilities paid, including internet, for the duration of their stay. CentralTrak does not pay for travel, art supplies or other day-to-day needs. CentralTrak has fellowships for travel through a need-base application process, but can never fully fund travel. We encourage applicants to apply for outside funding through other programs to cover their expenses.

The residency program is funded in part through the University of Texas, Dallas. Therefore we have a serious interest in educating via cultural engagement. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that include an element of community outreach, either through projects, exhibitions or workshops. A core mission of CentralTrak is to introduce artists to North Texas from other parts of the state, the U.S. and the rest of the world. Local artists wanting to participate in our program are encouraged to contact us with proposals, but we emphasis that CentralTrak cannot provide a solution to a long-term need for studios for artists that are working locally.

CentralTrak is a unique artist residency open to the artist who a live/work environment can be incorporated into an educational institution. As one of the few residencies in the United States connected with a university setting we pride ourselves in the integration of graduate students and professional artists. We focus on artistic living by giving artist a livable space in a community with other artists, combining graduate student artists from the program at University of Texas Dallas and with professional artists, for in-house mentoring and community building. We ask that visiting artists fully participate in monthly potluck suppers, social and professional outings in the Dallas Cultural Scene and CentralTrak exhibits and programs. CentralTrak seeks artists who will utilize the opportunity to engage in the Dallas community while being actively engaged in a studio practice and developing projects at the residency. CentralTrak asks that artists participate in one open-studio event every three months while in residence. CentralTrak is committed to an environment that supports the grad student in their continued artistic growth by hosting critiques and exchange with professional artists. CentralTrak will on occassion expect visiting artist to join in the discourse during our Next Topic speaker series, our scholarly panels that are presented sometimes twice a month.

Residency Dates:
Fall: August 15 – December 15
Spring: January 15 – May 15
Summer: June 1 – July 31

Applicants may apply for more than one back-to-back scheduled residency term. If granted more than one term residents may stay without moving out, but transportation via CentralTrak staff and housing assistance will discontinue during academic breaks and holidays.

Eligibility for professional or visiting artists’ residencies: To qualify artists, writers and curators should have substantial post-academic careers for at least the past 3 (three) years in which they would have produced a significant body-of-work, published or exhibited. Residency applicants should be willing to act as mentors to students and should also be an active artistic community participant.

Eligibility
CentralTrak accepts applications from all national and international artists: visual, literary, performing and curatorial. Artists or writers working in painting, new media, sculpture, architecture, creative writing, sound art, theory and criticism, dance, music, photography, urbanism, social practices and curatorial enterprises are invited to apply.

CentralTrak offers residents
-1000 - 1400 square foot live/work spaces
-All spaces have a kitchenette with refrigerator, oven/stove, microwave and dishwasher. All spaces have a private bath and laundry facilities.
-All spaces have a double-sized bed and mattress.
-Each studio is equipped with basic housewares: dishes, silverware, cookware, bed linens and bath towels.
-Wireless internet is available throughout the building.
-CentralTrak’s office phone is not available to residents. If visiting artists do not have a cellphone that works in the U.S., we encourage artists to acquire a short-term cell phone for their stay in Dallas.
-We are 1 block away from Dallas area light rail: DART.
-Utilities are paid for by CentralTrak with internet in each studio

The Common Workspace
Each artist at CentralTrak is supplied with a private studio in which to work during their residency. There is a larger, open-air workspace with a limited amount of power-tools for basic woodworking. Before using any tools in this workspace, residents must undergo an orientation and safety training with our Facilities Manager and/or Workshop Manager. Our facilities do not include access to a metal shop, ceramics studio or anything of a specialized nature. If at all possible, the majority of your artistic production would ideally take place within your studio.

Partner and Family Policy
CentralTrak will consider applications from artists who would like to bring partners and family members including children. This request should be expressed in the original application. Partners and family members are accepted on a case-by-case basis. However, this practice is not encouraged, as residency programs are most beneficial to the visiting or student artist’s development if they are not accompanied.

Financial Support
Limited Funds are available for transportation costs. No funds exceed $200.00/ artist and are considered on a case-by-case basis. Visiting artists do not receive a stipend or honorarium as part of their residency. CentralTrak provides a live/work space and utilities at no cost to the artist. Each visiting and student artists are responsible for their own meals, healthcare, renter’s insurance, transportation and art supplies.

Application Rules
If you are applying as a collaborative please only submit one application. Artists may apply every two years.

Application Form For Professional Artist DOWNLOAD
**Please read the above information carefully before completing the application form.

Frequently Asked Questions from Visiting International Artists

How much should I expect to spend during my residency?
Artists are likely to spend $1000/ month on food, local transportation, and supplies in Dallas, Texas. Expenses vary depending on lifestyle and the cost of art materials.

Is CentralTrak close to transportation?
Centraltrak is a block away from the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) system.
The Dart Red and Orange lines go up North towards campus. Several Trackers use it to get to campus and classes. You must take a bus from the rail line to campus.
This light rail goes all over the Dallas/Ft Worth area. Most importantly it goes to the Arts District, shopping and dinning.

Can I bring my Pet?
No, pets are not allowed due to our lease agreement.

What’s in my studio?
Each studio includes a private bath, a laundry room with washer and dryer, a kitchenette with appliances. Each studio includes a double bed and mattress. Basic housewares, bed lines and bath towels are included.

Are there tools?
We have a limited supply of basic tools. Special tools and facilities are not likely to be available through the residency, but Dallas has many hardware stores.

Do you have wireless?
We have a wireless connection in all studios and the gallery.

Are there restaurants near CentralTrak?
There are several restaurants and bars in the area. For more information about the neighborhood click here.

Can I bring my car?
You can bring one car per studio. We have a secure, gated parking lot, but CentralTrak nor our landlord can take responsibility for break-ins or theft.

Is my spouse/partner welcome at CentralTrak?
Visitors are welcomed, but for no more than three (3) days each month. Family members are accepted on a case-by-case basis and if it is your intention to be accompanied by your spouse, partner or children please include this request in your application. However, this practice is not encouraged, as residency programs are most beneficial to the visiting artist’s development if they can attend solo.

Fine Print
As an artist residency connected with UTDallas we expect professional artists to engage in the education of the students at CentralTrak and on campus. Professional artists must commit to one (1) lecture for an UTDallas class, arranged through UTDallas fine arts professors. Professional artist must commit to one (1) panel discussion as part of our Next Topic series. We encourage all members of our community to join the Dallas arts community in other ways including potlucks, openings, and outings. An artist who does not want to socialize with students and other artist will not be happy in the CentralTrak environment. If accepted as an artist-in-residence we retain the right to ask you to leave for any reason. We expect an accepted artist-in-residence to be at CentralTrak the majority of the time. If your schedule does not allow for engagement, ie you have too many other commitments, lets try to work out a better time for you.

CentralTrak is a unique artist residency open specifically to graduate student pursuing an MFA or PhD in the college of Arts and Humanities at University of Texas, Dallas, and for whom a live/work environment can be incorporated into their education. As one of the few residencies connected with a university setting we pride ourselves in the integration of graduate students and professional artists. We focus on artistic living by giving student artist a livable space in a community with other artists. CentralTrak asks that student artists participate in one open-studio event every three months while in residence. CentralTrak is committed to an environment that supports grad student in their continued artistic growth by hosting critiques and exchange with professional artists. Student artists work with CentralTrak staff and administration, agreeing to contribute 15-20 hours of work-trade a week. CentralTrak reciprocates this weekly contribution by proving fully-funded housing and utilities during a student’s residency. In addition, the experience of helping to run an exhibition space while living and working with professional artists should prove an invaluable education.

CentralTrak seeks student artists who will utilize the opportunity to engage in the Dallas arts community while working on their degree and projects. Engagement with the CentralTrak community is integral to your education and success.

Residency Dates:
August - May

Eligibility
CentralTrak accepts applications from all UT Dallas student or potential student in visual, art and technology, literary, performing and curatorial programs. Emphasis is given to those studying visual arts. It is advantageous that students demonstrate a useful skill set: outside work experience in graphic design, web design and maintenance, press relations and writing, development, or arts administration.

Important Dates for Applicants
March 15, 2015: Graduate Student Applications Due
April 2015: Interviews Begin for Applicants
May 2015: Decisions are emailed.
August 15, 2015: Move in date for new students

Application Form For Graduate StudentsDOWNLOAD
**Please read the above information carefully before completing the application form.

Frequently Asked Questions from Student Residents

Is CentralTrak close to transportation?
Centraltrak is a block away from the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) system.
The Dart Red and Orange lines go up North towards campus. Several Trackers use it to get to campus and classes. You must take a bus from the rail line to campus.
This light rail goes all over the Dallas/Ft Worth area. Most importantly it goes to the Arts District, shopping and dinning.

Can I bring my Pet?
No, pets are not allowed due to our lease agreement.

What’s in my studio?
Each studio includes a private bath, a laundry room with washer and dryer, a kitchenette with appliances. Each studio includes a double bed and mattress. Basic housewares, bed lines and bath towels are included.

Can I bring my own furniture?
You may bring your own furniture, but CentralTrak lacks storage space, so if you remove furnishings from CentralTrak, you will be responsible for safely storing and returning it to CentralTrak at the end of your residency.

Are there tools?
We have a limited supply of basic tools. Special tools and facilities are not likely to be available through the residency, but Dallas has many hardware stores.

Do you have wireless?
We have a wireless connection in all studios and the gallery.

Are there restaurants near CentralTrak?
There are several restaurants and bars in the area. For more information about the neighborhood click here.

Can I bring my car?
You can bring one car per studio. We have a secure, gated parking lot, but CentralTrak nor our landlord can take responsibility for break-ins or theft.

Can my spouse/partner live with me?
Your spouse or partner may live with you at CentralTrak. We encourage full participation from any of our residents, whether they are practicing artists or not. If they live at CentralTrak, we require a contribute of five (5) hours per week of work from them as trade. Tasks could include anything from helping to install artworks, catering one of our events or developing a new program at CentralTrak from which all of us could benefit and grow.

Fine Print
As an artist residency connected with UTDallas we expect student artist to engage in all CentralTrak programs. All student residents are required at staff meetings, show previews, show openings, Next Topics, Open Studio visits, Téte a-Tétes, and critiques. This is an immersive program and we expect total engagement. If you are too busy for these commitments CentralTrak will not be right for you. CentralTrak Administration has the right to ask you to leave for any reason that breaks our residency contract.